Finding Lucinda

• Director of Finding Lucinda Joel Fendelman Discusses His Process

  In this episode of the podcast, Ismay sits down with 'Finding Lucinda' director Joel Fendelman. They discuss how Joel approached the making of the documentary and concepts like developing the language of a film to build trust with the audience, the artist’s experience of not being where you thought you should be a certain age – including how to constructively confront that – and the idea of trusting others in collaborations. They also talk about how there is overlap in the craft of filmmaking and music-making, including ideas like contrasts and consistency. With roots in Miami, Austin, and New York City, Fendelman has written, produced, and directed a number of award-winning narrative and documentary films. An award-winning filmmaker, he is dedicated to telling stories that reveal the underlying connections between us all. His documentary 'Man on Fire' received an IDA Documentary Award and premiered nationally on PBS’s Independent Lens (2018–19 season). He went on to direct 'North Putnam,' which won the Indiana Spotlight Award at the Heartland International Film Festival. In 2016, his short film 'Game Night' premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won Best Super Short at the Savannah Film Festival. His second narrative feature, 'Remittance,' earned multiple festival awards, including Best Actress and Best Screenplay at the Brooklyn Film Festival, and is distributed worldwide. His debut feature, 'David' (2011), won the Ecumenical Prize at the Montreal World Film Festival. His most recent short film, 'The Spiritual Advisor,' is premiering at DOC NYC 2025 and is being distributed by Rolling Stone Films.Soundtrack out 11/7/25CD, Vinyl and Download: https://ismay.bandcamp.com/album/finding-lucinda-music-from-the-documentaryApple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ismay/1340597459Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/77sFDwywxshHFqKu6rVXIp?si=xlKBJrMMRFyvU0HYQ_F18QTickets to upcoming screenings in Boston, Brooklyn, Hudson NY, Providence RI and Chicago at www.findinglucinda.comWatch Finding Lucinda online: https://www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv/film/finding-lucinda/credits:Finding Lucinda is Distributed by The Bluegrass SituationProduced, recorded and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records LLCMusic by ISMAYSpecial thanks to: Rose Bush, Liz McBee, Mick Hellman, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams & Tom Overby

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• Chuck Prophet & ISMAY on Producing Finding Lucinda

  After the conclusion of their journey, Ismay tours the nation with screenings of 'Finding Lucinda,' inviting local artists to play Lucinda Williams songs in the round. Following a show at Chico Women's Club in California, Ismay interviews Chuck Prophet, a celebrated musician who co-produced the film. The pair discuss the origins of the project, what surprised them about making this documentary, and how Lucinda has influenced their songwriting and careers. They also discuss Chuck's time opening for Lucinda in the early 2000s. credits:Finding Lucinda is Distributed by The Bluegrass SituationProduced and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records LLCMusic by ISMAYNashville Recording —Recorded at The Room & Board StudioSound Recordist: Rodrigo NinoProducer: Liz McBeeDirector: Joel FendelmanCo-Director & Cinematographer: Rose BushSpecial thanks to: Siobhan Maher Kennedy, Ray Kennedy, Mick Hellman, Chuck Prophet, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Don Fierro, Rebecca Jordan Williams, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams & Tom Overbyreferences:https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/69003/the-long-goodbyeMaking a Poem by Miller Williams

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• Meeting Lucinda Williams

  For the finale of their road trip, Ismay finally gets to meet the center of this entire narrative – Lucinda Williams. Their goal is seeking guidance about what to do with their self doubt. Ismay discovers that Lucinda had one major difference in her origin story that is the key to understanding why she never gave up herself. Ismay and Lucinda also discuss items from the archives that Ismay has gathered along their route to Nashville. Ismay performs the song, "Spin," from the archives for her and is surprised by Lucinda's reaction.----------------------Finding Lucinda is out now! Watch on Apple TV:----------------------Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorbgspods----------------------credits:Finding Lucinda is Distributed by The Bluegrass SituationProduced and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records LLCMusic by ISMAYNashville Recording —Recorded at The Room & Board StudioSound Recordist: Rodrigo NinoProducer: Liz McBeeDirector: Joel FendelmanCo-Director & Cinematographer: Rose BushSpecial thanks to: Siobhan Maher Kennedy, Ray Kennedy, Mick Hellman, Chuck Prophet, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Don Fierro, Rebecca Jordan Williams, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams & Tom Overbyreferences:https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/69003/the-long-goodbyeMaking a Poem by Miller Williams

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• Visiting Ray Kennedy at the Room and Board

  Ismay wakes up the day after interviewing Mary Gauthier ready to attend a live performance by Lucinda Williams at the Ryman Auditorium. In order to finish out their journey, Ismay hopes to interview Lucinda right before her show and find a conclusion to their road trip. However, it turns out that due to unforeseen circumstances the interview is no longer possible. So, Ismay attends the show anyway and has to make a decision about whether to continue following Lucinda or to move forward. Plus, they meet up with engineer and producer for 'Car Wheels On A Gravel Road,' Ray Kennedy.----------------------------------Finding Lucinda is out September 9th, 2025Pre-order on Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/finding-lucinda/umc.cmc.ims4vnyo6ibk1v6hgmqhta8dhttps://www.findinglucindafilm.com/----------------------------------Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/SponsorBGSPods----------------------------------Credits:Finding Lucinda is Distributed by The Bluegrass SituationProduced and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records LLCMusic by ISMAYArtwork by Avery HellmanNashville Recording —Recorded at Room and Board StudioSound Recordist: Rodrigo NinoProducer: Liz McBeeDirector: Joel FendelmanCo-Director & Cinematographer: Rose BushSpecial thanks to: Mick Hellman, Chuck Prophet, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Don Fierro, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams & Tom OverbyReferences:https://liverpoolmusiccity.com/2025/04/15/from-bootle-to-nashville-the-remarkable-journey-of-siobhan-maher-kennedy/https://www.raykennedyproducer.com/room-board-studio

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• Mary Gauthier's "Mercy Now"

  Ismay travels across Nashville to the Station Inn to meet with legendary folk singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier. This episode of Finding Lucinda is different from those in the past – rather than interviewing a character from Lucinda Williams' history, Ismay speaks to Mary because of their shared experiences as fans and devotees of Lucinda's music. Mary reveals that her most well known song was in fact directly derived from techniques Lucinda uses in her songwriting. This conversation turns out to be incredibly revelatory, as wisdom Mary imparts allows Ismay to discover that what they initially thought this journey was all about may in fact be completely upended. ----------------------------Finding Lucinda is out September 9th 2025Pre-order on Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/finding-lucinda/umc.cmc.ims4vnyo6ibk1v6hgmqhta8dwww.findinglucinda.com----------------------------Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/SponsorBGSPods----------------------------Finding Lucinda is Distributed by The Bluegrass SituationProduced and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records LLCMusic by ISMAYArtwork by Avery HellmanNashville Recording: Recorded at The Station Inn Sound Recordist: Rodrigo NinoProducer: Liz McBeeDirector: Joel FendelmanCo-Director & Cinematographer: Rose BushSpecial thanks to: Mick Hellman, Chuck Prophet, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Don Fierro, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams & Tom Overby----------------------------Saved By a Song by Mary GauthierDon’t Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You by Lucinda Williamshttps://stationinn.com/information/https://acousticguitar.com/mary-gauthier-helps-veterans-turn-stories-into-songs-on-rifles-and-rosary-beads/https://folkworks.org/article/folkworks-article-mary-gauthier/

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